The three do not possess special expertise in veterans health care issues, but were reported to be influential over Trump administration policy, including its plans to push the department’s health care system toward private providers. The three are frequently at Mar-a-Lago, Mr. Trump’s private club in Palm Beach, Fla. The group also pushed — in most cases, unsuccessfully — for certain vendors to manage health care records, and had a direct line to the president. “We were asked by the president and, repeatedly, by the former secretary and his senior staff to assist the V.A. in enhancing the level of service it provides to our veterans,” the statement said.

Source: New York Times February 08, 2019 20:40 UTC